Wealth of First Nations is a new book highlighting the successful traits of those First Nations across Canada that have improved the well-being of their members. Crucially, First Nations that participate in the local economy and generate own-source revenues, as opposed to relying heavily on government transfers, have higher living standards.

What Happens to the Federal Deficit if a Recession Occurs in 2019? finds that the federal government’s projected 2019/20 deficit of $19.6 billion will automatically reach between $28 and $34 billion if a recession hits this year, even before the government pursues any discretionary spending, for example, stimulus spending.

Health Care Reform Options for Alberta finds that the Alberta government can enact major health-care reforms—without contravening the Canada Health Act—that would shorten wait times and improve patient care. For example, increasing the use of private clinics, creating a centralized surgical registry and pooling patient referrals, and allowing private, parallel financing and delivery of medically necessary services, none of which are explicitly prohibited by federal legislation.

The Fraser Institute is the top think-tank in Canada for the 11th straight year and ranks 18th most influential think-tank worldwide, according to the 2018 Global Go To Think Tank Index published by the University of Pennsylvania and released this week in New York and Washington, D.C.. Among independent think-tanks, which the University of Pennsylvania report defines as having independence from any one interest group or donor and autonomous in its operation and funding from government, the Fraser Institute ranks 11th best worldwide for the second year in a row.

Education Spending and Public School Enrolment in Canada, 2019 finds that spending on public schools across Canada increased in every province over the past decade by an average of 17.3 per cent, on a per-student basis, after adjusting for inflation. Nominally, spending increased from about $49 billion in 2006/07 to nearly $65 billion in 2015/16, the most recent year of available Statistics Canada data. Teacher and staff compensation (salaries, pensions and benefits) accounted for 84 per cent of that increased spending, rising from $35 billion to more than $48 billion over the same 10-year period.

Assessing British Columbia’s Tax Competitiveness finds that B.C. now has the ninth highest top combined personal income tax rate in Canada and the United States, which hurts the province’s ability to compete with neighbouring jurisdictions for skilled-workers and investment. The province also has the highest taxes on business investment anywhere in Canada.

Restoring a Competitive Labour Market in Alberta: Examining Right-to-Work and Other Policy Changes finds that, in light of Alberta’s continuing economic challenges and the rise of competing jurisdictions such as Texas and North Dakota, making the province’s labour market more competitive could improve economic growth and benefit Alberta workers.